Online petition in support of jailed Armenian businessman launched

An online petition expressing support to Levon Hayrapetyan, the Russian-Armenian businessman-philanthropist detained in Moscow earlier this month, has been launched on the international campaigning website Avaaz.org.

The appeal, addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calls for urgent measures to release the businessman, the state news agency Armenpress reports.

“Levon Hayrapetyan is an elderly man who suffers from diabetes and recently survived a stroke. He cannot remain in detention for health reasons, as he needs permanent medical assistance that can be provided only in freedom. Amendments introduced to the Russian Criminal Code under [current Prime Minister] Dmitry Medvedev’s presidency prohibited detaining an individual over an economic crime committed in the course of entrepreneurial activity. The amendments apply to Hayrapetyan’s case as well. In all countries across the globe, a person is considered innocent unless his/her guilt has been proven,” reads the appeal.

Over 4,000 people joined the petition as of 11:50 Yerevan time.

Hayrapetyan was detained at Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport upon his return from Monacco on July 15. Two boxes of packaged bullets were confiscated from his office later the same dame. The Investigative Committee of Russia later submitted a motion for detaining the businessman.

Law enforcement sources told the media that Hayrapetyan was not in any way involved the murders committed by criminal group his name was associated with . The businessman is suspected of money laundering and legalization of illegally obtained assets. The illegal transaction is claimed to have been carried out during the sale of Sistema JFSC to Bashneft. The inquest reportedly revealed that Hayrapetyan received huge sums from the deal. The businessman does not admit any complicity in the affair; his lawyer was earlier reported to have appealed the arrest. No court ruling is available as of now.

Official charges against Hayrapetyan were brought on July 24. Several Russia-based Armenian organizations recently expressed support to the businessman. The residents of Vank (Nagorno-Karabakh), Hayrapetyan’s native village, have also launched a petition in protest against the businessman’s arrest.